The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) relaunched the Share-the-Warmth program, with support from dozens of its Chapters on January 9, 2025, in Chicago.

Keeping with the tradition of extending comfort and warmth to the homeless in the United States this winter season, the generosity extended by AAPI members will benefit thousands of needy people across the nation, President of AAPI, Dr. Satheesh Kathula, said during the launch. 

The noble initiative of giving, which began in 2019, has now become an AAPI annual tradition of offering support to local communities. Through the Share-The-Warmth project, the poor and needy across homeless shelters in the US have received thousands of blankets every year. 

“We are immensely happy to state that our AAPI’s Share the Warmth program has been highly successful this year,” said Dr. Raghu Lolabhattu, the program’s Chair, while appreciating the efforts of the local Chapters and acknowledging the love given to the program in the last few years by the targeted communities. “I am happy to share those thousands of homeless and other needy citizens benefited from this program in the past. Hence this year, AAPI as an organization under the leadership of our President Dr. Satheesh Kathula wants to continue this ongoing and much needed tradition,” he added.

Dr. Malti Mehta, co-chair of the Share-the-Warmth program shared how the program evolved, after its launch in 2019 during the presidency of Dr. Suresh Reddy.  It was held successfully in the same year by Dr. Binod Sinha, founder President of AAPI Chapter in New Jersey. Since then it has been held annually by AAPI and local Chapters of AAPI, she said. 

Dr. Sunil Kaza, chair of APPI BOT, said  “We at AAPI are extremely grateful for the opportunities we have been blessed with to serve the communities we live in and work in.” Adding to his statement, Dr. Kaza said, “As a token of our appreciation and gratitude, we believe we are happy to be able to give back and serve the less fortunate in our society in times of their need.”

Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, president-elect of AAPI thanked the State Chapters for their enthusiasm and commitment to the cause. “This has been a one-of-a-kind experience for the teams of physicians and young volunteers alike who have generously volunteered their time and resources to bring joy to the less fortunate,” he said. 

“Realizing how this initiative benefits several needy in the community, gives us the motivation to organize many such events and give back to the local community. We are very happy to say that the purpose of the program has been accomplished by AAPI working with so many state Chapters and hope more things will happen in the future,” Dr. Meher Medavaran, vice president of AAPI said.

Expressing a closer sentiment, Dr. Kathula also appreciated the AAPI Chapters for conducting drives around the nation, while adding that, “We strongly feel that we can make more such accomplishments with support and participation from all our generous AAPI physicians.”

Dr. Raj Bhayani, secretary of AAPI urged all AAPI members to make generous donations for the fund. He requested every member’s support in making the program a grand success and doing AAPI and its local Chapters proud. Dr Shirish Patel, treasurer of AAPI, shared the sentiment. Dr Bhayani also thanked Steven M. Fulop, the Mayor of Jersey City in the state of New Jersey, who is all set to join the New Jersey Chapter in their annual Blanket Donation Drive. 

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